Commercial refrigeration systems are commonly found in many areas, from restaurants to convenience stores. These refrigerators can be complex, making it difficult to determine the source of a malfunction or repair it. As a result, most people automatically turn to a commercial refrigeration technician when their refrigerators aren't functioning properly. Here's a look at some of the most common issues you might have with a commercial refrigerator and how to identify them.

Lack of Power to the System

If the refrigerator doesn't have power or isn't working at all, start by making sure it's plugged in securely. Inspect the wiring, including the length of the power cord, for any signs of damage. There should be no exposed wires. Exposed or otherwise damaged wiring can cause an electrical short, which can damage the refrigeration system. If the wiring is intact and there are no obvious signs of issues, you'll want to have it inspected.

Excessive Ice Buildup

Your refrigerator should be equipped with an automatic defrosting system, so you shouldn't see any signs of ice buildup or freezing. If you start to see ice building up on the pipes or inside the refrigeration unit, check the evaporator fan on the back of the unit to make sure that it's running. If the evaporator is frozen, turn off the refrigerator and use a hair dryer to melt the ice.

You may want to have the evaporator cleaned and inspected if it is freezing up, because it could be clogged or have particles in the lines. These things will keep the system from drawing excess liquid from the system. A commercial refrigeration technician can tell you if there's a problem with the evaporator itself or if it just needs to be cleaned.

Failing Compressor

The compressor on the refrigerator is a key component, because it creates the cold air that the system needs for cooling. If the refrigerator is warm despite the fact that the system is running, that's a sign that the compressor may be failing. Check the compressor to see if it is running. You'll find it on the back of the refrigerator. If it's running, you should hear a humming sound from the case.

If you don't hear a humming sound from the case, that's a sign that the compressor isn't running at all. If you hear the compressor start and make a clunking sound before it stops, that would indicate that it is trying to start, but the reset is engaging before it can. This is a sign of a problem with the motor inside the compressor. Additionally, if the case is hot, that indicates that the compressor is overheating. In either case, you'll want to have a technician from a place like Pro-Staff Mechanical Inc inspect it and either replace it or service it to restore its function.